Exit-bound Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli is close to joining Lazio on a free transfer amid Chelsea links. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via TUTTOmercatoWEB, the Italian defender is on the brink of finding an agreement with the Biancocelesti over personal terms.
Despite just captaining Milan to their first Serie A title in more than a decade, Romagnoli is on his way out of San Siro. The Rossoneri refused to hand the 27-year-old a new deal. Since his current one expires later this month, the defender is free to choose his next destination.
Several foreign sides, including Chelsea, have registered their interest in the ex-Roma man. However, Romagnoli looks set to return to the capital with Lazio.
After seven years at Milan, he is ready to kickstart a new adventure. Lazio’s initial contract offer fell short of the player’s wage demands. Romagnoli is holding out for a contract worth €3m per year.
The Biancocelesti came short at the first attempt, but they are confident of getting the deal over the line soon. Though they have not quite reached that mark, they are close enough to get their man.
Our take on Lazio’s aggressive recruitment campaign
Highly-rated midfielder Marcos Antonio will soon become Lazio’s first summer signing. The Brazilian forward will arrive from Shakhtar Donetsk for around €8m.
But Maurizio Sarri has to address his side’s defensive woes. With Luiz Felipe heading towards the exit door, landing a new centre-back is a priority.
Romagnoli could be a potentially massive coup for Lazio. Despite tumbling down the pecking order, he remains one of Italy’s best defenders. His vast Serie A experience should aid the club’s bid to challenge for the Champions League spots next season.
Lazio finished fifth in Serie A in 2021/22, six points adrift of fourth-placed Juventus. The signings of Antonio and Romagnoli should help them close that gap next term.
But since the summer transfer window has yet to gain momentum, Lazio could still add a few new faces ahead of the new season.